WHAT’S THE FUSS?  LET’S MAKE PAPYRUS!

Carol Peterson

(History, Science, Art)

Ancient Egyptians wove a type of river grass into mats, pounded them, and let them dry.  These mats, named “papyrus” after the river grass, were the first paper.  Papyrus doesn’t grow in our neighborhoods, but we can get an idea of how papyrus mats were made by using cornhusks.  To make a mat (6 – 8” square), you will need:
•    The husks from one ear of corn (10-12 leaves)
•    Scissors
•    Paper towels
•    Baker’s cooling rack
•    Cookie sheet
•    Sheet of colored paper
•    White glue
•    Colored markers (optional)
Strip the cornhusks from an ear of corn.  Using scissors, trim the bottom end of each cornhusk leaf so it lies flat. 
Spread several cornhusks on a paper towel placed over the cooling rack.  Lay a second paper towel over the cornhusks, making sure the husks stay flat.  Arrange more cornhusks on the second paper towel.  Repeat layers until all cornhusks are lying flat between paper towels. 
Cover the last paper towel with a cookie sheet to prevent the cornhusks from rolling while they dry.  Let cornhusks dry completely – a day or two. 
When they are dry, glue one end of 5 or 6 cornhusks vertically (up and down) onto a sheet of colored paper.  Make sure there are no spaces between the cornhusks.  Press the glued ends down for several minutes until they stick to the paper. 
Then weave cornhusks in and out (horizontally) through the glued rows to make a mat.  Make sure there are no spaces between your weave.  Then glue the ends of all cornhusks to the paper.   
Egyptians often used soot for writing and crushed jewels to make brightly colored paint.  You can use colored marking pens to create an Egyptian drawing or story on your “papyrus.”  Or use hieroglyphic symbols and spell out you name.